Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) said Wednesday that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza - becoming one of the highest-profile elected U.S. officials to do so and marking the first time he has used the term to describe Israel’s nearly two-year military campaign in the enclave, which has come under growing international criticism.

In an op-ed published on his website, Sanders wrote: “The intent is clear. The conclusion is inescapable: Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.”

While acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself following Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack, Sanders said that “over the last two years, Israel has not simply defended itself against Hamas” but has “waged an all-out war against the entire Palestinian people.”

His statement comes a day after a United Nations commission

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